Museum Shop

Before you enter the exhibition itself, you can see some of Seiko’s very latest watches and clocks and check out some souvenirs that are only available in our showroom.

The Evolution of Timekeeping

Timekeeping started with the simple sun dial, and then evolved through water clocks, lamp and incense clocks, hourglasses and mechanical clocks. It also evolved from the public to the private with the creation of pocket watches and then wristwatches.

Clocks from Europe

The 18th and 19th centuries were a golden age for European clockmaking. The clockmakers developed ever more elaborate ways to measure and display time.

Sports Timing

Seiko’s tradition in sports timing started at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. See how top-level sport was timed then and how timing technology has advanced over the past 50 years. You can experience actual time measurement by using a swimming touch pad.

The Founding and Early Years of Seiko

Kintaro Hattori founded the company in 1881 and dedicated his life to making Seiko into Japan’s leading timepiece company, based on the idea that Seiko should always be ‘one step ahead of the rest’.

Traditional Japanese Clocks

The rich tradition of ‘Wadokei’, Japanese clocks made in the Edo period. Wadokei use the seasonal time system, in which the length of each hour varies according to the changing length of the days in each season.

Seiko Clocks

From the first wall clocks until today’s GPS satellite clock, the history of Seiko clocks is one of innovation, charm and surprise.

Seiko Watches 1

From Seiko’s first pocket watch to the automatic mechanical watch, Seiko’s early history of watchmaking is defined by landmark products that changed the whole industry in Japan.

Seiko Divers Watch

Born in 1960, Grand Seiko has always been the very best of Seiko. Ever evolving, but always true to its values, Grand Seiko brings the essentials of timekeeping to new heights and elevates them to the level of an art form.

Credor

Born in 1960, Grand Seiko has always been the very best of Seiko. Ever evolving, but always true to its values, Grand Seiko brings the essentials of timekeeping to new heights and elevates them to the level of an art form.

Seiko Watches 2

The defining period in Seiko’s history, during which the range of Seiko’s watch technologies expanded and many world-leading products were created.

Seiko Watches 3

Seiko’s aims in watchmaking broadened from simple precision to ultra-precision with the most efficient possible use of energy, and the creation of watches with functions suited to the diverse needs of today.

Grand Seiko 1

Born in 1960, Grand Seiko has always been the very best of Seiko. Ever evolving, but always true to its values, Grand Seiko brings the essentials of timekeeping to new heights and elevates them to the level of an art form.

Grand Seiko 2

Born in 1960, Grand Seiko has always been the very best of Seiko. Ever evolving, but always true to its values, Grand Seiko brings the essentials of timekeeping to new heights and elevates them to the level of an art form.

The Library

The Museum’s collection of books, articles, artworks and pamphlets on timekeeping in Japan and the world is of great importance. It includes over 8,000 documents.

Glamour and Precision

2014 is the 40th anniversary of the Credor brand and the 50th anniversary of Seiko’s first chronograph. A special exhibit has been created to celebrate these anniversaries.